Tipping, to me, is simply a way to show appreciation when someone goes out of their way to provide a service, and you feel they’ve done a great job. It’s a small gesture that says, “Thank you,” and when you tip willingly, it often leaves both parties feeling good. However, I don’t believe tipping should ever be seen as an obligation; rather, it should be a choice, something a person decides to do out of their own free will. After all, tipping is a gift, not a requirement.
Unfortunately, tipping culture in Nigeria has been twisted by certain people, such as police officers on the road, who treat it as if it’s something they’re entitled to. They often expect drivers to tip them, and if the driver doesn’t, they might end up facing unnecessary hassles. These police officers can stop a driver, and if the driver doesn’t offer them money, they may insist on pulling them over for what they call a “routine check.” This check isn’t always because they genuinely suspect something illegal or unsafe; often, it’s simply a way to get money from the person driving. I’ve experienced this many time during my journeys to school. I’ve seen multiple scenarios where our driver had to stop several times along the way to tip different officers just to avoid delays. This has become so normalized that the drivers anticipate these stops and plan for them as part of the trip.
What’s even more frustrating is that this kind of tipping at times end up costing passengers more money. Drivers, knowing they’ll have to deal with police officers along the way, often raise the fare a bit so they have extra cash to hand out. It means that instead of tipping being a voluntary, appreciative act, it turns into a form of extortion that we, as passengers, indirectly pay for. This type of forced tipping doesn’t make sense to me. When someone pressures or demands a tip, it loses its purpose and feels completely wrong. A tip should be given freely, not squeezed out of someone just because they’re in a position to do so.
On the other hand, when it’s done out of genuine gratitude, I see nothing wrong with tipping. If you’re happy with someone’s service and want to show them a little extra appreciation, why not give them something for their effort? For example, I once had someone helped me with a challenging assignment, and because I was so pleased with the quality of work, I decided to pay him a little extra. The look on his face said it all—he was genuinely happy and thanked me wholeheartedly. That’s the kind of experience tipping should be: something meaningful that brings joy to both the giver and the receiver.
In the end, i believe tipping should come from the heart, as a choice, not something that’s forced. If someone expects or pressures you to tip them, they’re crossing a line. Tipping loses its meaning if it’s no longer voluntary and becomes something people feel entitled to. It’s about respect, and people shouldn’t feel forced into it. To me, tipping is only worth it when it’s genuine, not because someone expects it.
image is from Meta Ai.
